| Objective:Based on the previous studies of herbs-partitioned moxibustion on RN8for primarydysmenorrhea (PD), further studies were carried out. We focused on specificity of acupointeffect of RN8comparing with other non-RN acupoints in the same nerve segment fortreating primary dysmenorrhea, and we also focused on the functions of herbs during thetreatment. Differences of metabolites in plasma and urine of PD patients were compared byusing LC/MS metabonomics technology as to try to explore the specific effect mechanismof herbs-partitioned moxibustion on RN8treatment for PD and the biological mechanismof herbs during the treatment.Methods:a.90cases of PD patients were randomly divided into three groups (herbs-partitionedmoxibustion on RN8group, herbs-partitioned moxibustion on SP15group and moxa stickmoxibustion on RN8group), with30cases in each group. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS)and the Cox Menstrual Symptom Scale (CMSS) were used to evaluate the treatment effectof three groups.b. Plasma and urine samples of30cases (10cases randomly chosen from each group)were tested by using LC/MS metabonomics technology, comparing with samples of10normal persons as control group. Related metabolites were obtained, and the metabolicpathways were deduced. Relationships among clinical symptoms, specific metabolites,metabolic pathways, and specific effect of acupoint RN8were built by comparing thedifferences of metabolites and metabolic pathways.Results:a. Clinical trials: After treatment, scores of VAS were reduced significantly in all threegroups (P<0.01), and scores of total frequency and average severity of lower abdominal pain in the CMSS were reduced significantly in both herbs-partitioned moxibustion on RN8group and moxa stick moxibustion on RN8group (P<0.01). Scores of herbs-partitionedmoxibustion on RN8group and moxa stick moxibustion on RN8group were significantlydifferent from herbs-partitioned moxibustion on SP15group in the CMSS (P<0.01).Scores of herbs-partitioned moxibustion on RN8group were significantly different frommoxa stick moxibustion on RN8group in the CMSS (P<0.01).b. Metabonomics tests: After treatment, metabolites in all three groups variedsignificantly from base lines. Metabolites related to estrone,16-oxestrone,20a-Dihydroprogesterone,15-keto-prostaglandin F2α, methylimidazoleacetic acid,L-phenylalanine L-tyrosine, dopamine-4-sulfate and gamma-aminobutyric acid changed inherbs-partitioned moxibustion on RN8group. Metabolites related to5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan, N-acetylvanilalanine,3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetaldehyde,L-tyrosine and3,4-dihydroxybenzeneacetic acid changed in herbs-partitioned moxibustionon SP15group. Metabolites related to DHEA sulfate,15-keto-13,14-dihydroprostaglandinA2, pyridoxal5’-phosphate, dopamine-4-sulfate,3,4-dihydroxymandelic acid, homovanillicacid,3,4-dihydroxybenzylamine changed in moxa stick moxibustion on RN8group.Conclusion:a. It manifests that the meridian course specificity and relativity of acupoint RN8. Italso induces that the herbs are one of factors affecting the effect of RN8.b. Estrone,16-oxestrone and20a-dihydroprogesterone associated with arachidonicacid metabolism,15-keto-prostaglandin F2αassociated with steroid hormone metabolism,histamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid may be the mechanism of regulating the functionof the uterus specifically. Herbs-partitioned moxibustion on RN8group affects thenetwork of nervous system, endocrine system and immune system by regulating theendocrine hormones, local algogenic factors and substances associated with immunesystem. These mentioned above may be the biological mechanism of RN8for specificallyregulating the uterus function, and may also reflect the systematic specificity of RN8.c. Herbs applied during the treatment can strengthen the change of progesterone,histamine, and gamma-aminobutyric acid. This may due to the mechanism effect of herbs. |
PDF Full Text Request